School Finance 101: A smart, funny and data driven blog by Dr. Bruce Baker at Rutgers University which breaks down school finance issues. Education’s Nate Silver?

Leadership

Stan Karp: The Corporate Reform Agenda: What do we mean when we talk about a “corporate reform” agenda vs. an educational agenda? Rethinking Schools’ Stan Karp breaks down the policies and proposals of corporate reformers driving failed educational experiments and undermining public education.

A Parent’s Guide to the Broad Academy: A incisive look at the Broad Academy and its graduates, who are superintendents at many large urban districts. Philadelphia’s last three superintendents have all graduated from or lectured at the Broad Academy.

School closings & improving school buildings

21st Century Schools Fund: A website devoted to helping parents and communities build campaigns to rethink underutilized buildings and create options for modernizing school facilities. Includes manuals, tool kits and lots of resources. Read quotes from 21st Century Schools Fund President Mary Filardo and Parents United founder Cecelia Thompson to see just how different the vision is around school facilities in this Notebook news story.

Class Size Matters: A clearinghouse of information on the importance of lower class sizes. Although it focuses specifically on New York City, it contains lots of information, data and advocacy ideas on class size issues.

Parents Across America: Parents United is a chapter of PAA, a national parent advocacy organization linking parent organizers across the country to fight for progressive change in the national education agenda. This site is full of parent advocacy successes and up to date research on school reform.

Association of Philadelphia School Librarians: The official site representing the District’s librarians has some great research on the decline in school librarians and research on the links between school libraries and improved literacy.

Caucus of Working Educators: A new social justice caucus of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers.

Committee of Seventy: A non-partisan government watchdog advocating for ethics and transparency in governance. Has recently engaged around major School District issues.

Education Law Center: This 35-year old organization has successfully fought for the rights of Philadelphia students and families and specializes in school funding and services for special needs students and English language learners.

Father’s Day Rally Committee: A grassroots organization and partner of Parents United promoting African American men to take action on behalf of their communities in order to effect positive change.

Germantown Clergy Initiative: A faith organization and partner of Parents United promoting Christian support and partnership with the students, families and school community of Germantown High School.

JUNTOS: A South Philadelphia based organization representing the interests of Philadelphia’s Mexican and other Latino populations. JUNTOS has an active parent group working to improve services and supports for English Language Learners

PCAPS: The Philadelphia Coalition Advocating for Public Schools (PCAPS) is a coalition of organizations bringing direct action and fresh organizing to Philadelphia.

Network for Public Education: A 501(c)(4) advocacy group founded by Diane Ravitch, Leonie Haimson, Anthony Cody and others, designed to lobby and support public schools nationwide.

More must read sites

Diane Ravitch: This pro-public ed crusader leads the charge with her blog documenting the failures of corporate ed reform and highlighting public ed warriors building coalitions to champion our schools.

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